Local resident Debra Minyard (center) was formally recognized by the New Mexico Public Education Department Thursday evening at the University of New Mexico. Those in attendance included Secretary of Education Hanna Skandera (far right) and State representative Stephanie Garcia Richard (fourth from left). Additional supporters were husband Joshua, students, friends and co-workers from Pojoaque Valley High School, where Minyard is a music educator. She heads to Washington, D.C. this weekend to meet President Barack Obama.